Show Notes
This special crossover episode brings together espionage and crime fans for a fast-paced round-table on our Books of the Year 2025.
Antonia Senior (Spymasters) is joined by:
Paul Burke – host of Aspects of Crime
Mark Ellis – bestselling author of the Frank Merlin series
Thomas Waugh – author of Endgame
Together we unpack the best in spy fiction, crime writing, historical thrillers and intelligence non-fiction—from World War II espionage and Cold War intrigue to the new era of China-focused spy thrillers.
Books discussed include:
The Darkest Winter by Carlo Lucarelli
Appointment in Paris by Jane Thynne
The Second Traitor by Alex Gerlis
The Peak by Sam Guthrie
Shadow of a Queen by Peter Tonkin
The Predicament by William Boyd
Smoke and Embers by John Lawton
The Poet’s Game by Paul Vidich
Clown Town by Mick Herron
The Revolutionists by Jason Burke
Man of Bones by Ben Creed
The Spy in the Archives by Gordon Corera
Expect passionate debate, insider recommendations, Cold War gossip, a very loud puppy, and a surprising amount of Noel Coward.
Perfect listening for fans of John le Carré, Mick Herron, Len Deighton, Helen Fry, and anyone hunting for genuinely brilliant new espionage reads.
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